Ash tray



G. D. LEGGE Nov. 5, 1957 ASH TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed Nov. 1'7, 195

Nov. 5, 1957 LEGGE 2,812,097

ASH TRAY Filed Nov. 1'7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 a w By A k-Q 5 Ws M Attorneys United States Patent ASH TRAY George Legge, Van Dyke, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1952, Serial No. 321,009

6 Claims. (Cl. 220-18) The present invention relates to cigarette ash trays and more particularly to ash trays in which the waste receptacle moves into and out of a chamber formed in a housing member.

In order to dispose of cigarette ashes and butts, etc. which may accumulate in an automotive vehicle, it is very desirable to provide a tray or receptacle for collecting such waste material. The ash trays presently installed on automotive vehicles frequently have a waste receptacle which is mounted for movement into and out of a chamber formed in a stationary housing member. This permits the waste receptacle, when not in use, to be retracted to a concealed position. This also will prevent the contents of the receptacle being blown about the interior of the automobile by drafts. In addition to having the waste receptacle tiltably mounted, it is desirable that the receptacle be removable for cleaning. However,.as a result of the vibrations inherently present in a moving vehicle, an ash tray having an easily removable receptacle generally develops rattles and other objectionable noises. Not infrequently as such ash trays become worn they develop a tendency to shake and rattle from one position to another. Moreover, if the receptacle is entirely removable, the vibrations may even cause the receptacle to shake loose from its mounting and spill the contents therefrom. Numerous attempts have been made to overcome this difiiculty by employing tightly fitting parts and elaborate springing arrangements. Such attempts have not proved to be entirely satisfactory as the ash trays frequently bind and become very difiicult to operate.

Accordingly, it is proposed to provide an ash tray in which the waste receptacle is detachably positioned on a movably mounted frame. Since this substantially eliminates the necessity for removing the frame, amore permanent mounting means may be provided. Also since the ash tray is normally in the fully open or closed position, one set of mounting means may be provided for supporting the waste receptacle during movement thereof and another set of substantially rattle freemounting means may be provided for retaining the drawer in the open or closed position.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ash tray embodying the present invention, a portion thereof being broken away to more clearly show the parts thereof.

Figure 2 is an end elevational viewof the ash tray of Figure 1 secured to a vehicle seat which is shown by dotand-dash lines.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the movably mounted frame member which supports the waste receptacle.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the wire follower that is releasably seated on the tiltable frame and slides on the cam surface.

Figure 5 is a front elevational View of the ash tray of Figure 1, a portion thereof being broken away to more clearly show the parts thereof.

Figure 6 is across-sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 6-6 of Figure 5. I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the frame member in an intermediate position.

Referring to the drawings in more detail an ash tray 10 embodying the present invention may be mounted on any suitable structure, such as a bracket 12. The bracket 12 forms a part of the frame for an automobile seat 14 and extends across the back of the seat 14. A clamp 16 is secured to the bracket 12 so as to'extend downwardly and outwardly to provide a support for the bottom of the ash tray 10. The clamp 16 may also have a hook 18 on the lower end thereof to compress a robe cord 20 against the back of the seat 14.

The ash tray includes a frame 22 which is pivotally mounted on a housing member 24. The housing member 24 has a front wall 26 with an aperture 28 intermediate the ends thereof. Front wall 26 may have extensions at each end thereof that form decorative wings 30 which are disposed along the back of the seat 14. The housing member 24 forms a chamber 34 that is accessible through the aperture 28, and includes a back wall 36, a top 38, and vertical end walls 40. The back wall 36 may be provided with one or more holes that permit the screws 44 to engage the bracket 12 and thus secure the ash tray 10 in position. It has been found advantageous to place a spring 46 between the back wall 36 and the bracket 12 to resiliently retain the ash tray 10 in position and thus reduce the tendency to rattle.

Although the end walls 40 are substantially vertical they may be bent to conform generally to the shape of the ends of the aperture 28. Thus, the upper and lower ends 50 and 52, respectively, of the walls 40 are substantiallyvertical while the middle portions 54 are slightly inclined. The lower ends 52 of each panel are provided With bearing means 56 for the frame 22 such as the aligned pins 58 that project into the chamber 34. The upper ends 50 of the end Walls 40 have cam surfaces 60 which are formed by the lower edges of each of the slots 62. The cam surfaces 60 include arcuate portions '64 with recessed detents or stops 66 and 68 at each end thereof. The arcuate portions 64 of the surfaces 60 may be concentric with the pins 58 so as to guide and support the frame 22 during movement thereof while the stops 66 and 68 at each end thereof are positioned to retain the frame 22 in the opened or closed position.

The frame has a horizontal shelf 70 with downwardly projecting legs 72 at each end thereof. The legs 72 may have an inclined central portion 74 to provide a shape similar to the ends of the aperture 23 and the panels 40. The lower ends 76 of the legs are provided with bearing means 78 to cooperate with the bearing means 56 on the end panels 40 to permit the frame 22 to rotate and move radially. The ends 76 of the legs 72 are bifurcated to form open ended slots 80 that engage the pins 53. Thus, a pivot point will be provided for the lower end of the frame-22 that will allow the frame 22 to rise and fall as guided by the cam surfaces 60.

The forward edge of the shelf '70 may be struck upwardly to form a vertical lip '82. A decorative front 84 and a handle 86' for opening and closing the ash tray 10 are secured to this lip 32 by any suitable means. The front 84 is preferably of the same shape as the aperture 28 and is adapted to act as a closure member for the aperture ZS such that the exterior thereof will be substantially flush with the exterior of the support member 24. The shelf 70 for removing the receptacle 90 as well as a means for extinguishing cigarettes. If so desired a slightly depressed portion 100 having an, opening 102 therethrough may be provided for an electric cigarette lighter 104 'or other accessory.

The rear edge of the shelf 70 may be struck downwardly to form a flange 106. The lower edge of the flange 106 is rolled forward to form a seat 108 for a follower 110. The follower 110 is positioned on the frame 22 with the ends 111 projecting through the apertures 109 to ride on the cam surface 64 or to engage the stops 66 and 68 when in the open or closed positions. Although the follower 110 may be of any suitable construction, a wire member, as shown in Figure 4, has been found to be satisfactory. When the follower 110 is positioned in the seat 108 the ends 111 of the follower 110 will extend through the slots 62in the end walls 40 and slidably engage the cam surfaces 60. A notch 107 in the center of the flange 106 will provide convenient means of access for adjustment of the. follower 110. It has been found advantageous to secure a spring 112 between the hooks 114 at each end of the follower 110 and a bracket 115 on the end walls 40. Such a springing arrangement will insure that the follower 110 engages the cam surfaces 60 at all times, thus reducing the possibility of rattling. If the spring 112 is mounted as shown in Figure 2 there will be a tendency for the spring to draw the follower 110 and frame 22 towards the closed position. Thus, once the follower is clear of the front detents 68 it will tend to be self closing.

When the frame 22 .is in the closed position, the follower 110 will rest in the detents 66 at the rear of the cam surface 60 and thereby hold the ash tray shut. If the ends 111 of follower 110 are in the detent 66 or 68, the ends 111 will be lowered enough to disengage the upper ends of apertures 109 so that the pins 58 will engage the ends of slots .80 and thereby support the frame. Assuming it is desired to open the ash tray 10 the operator grips the handle 86 and simultaneously exerts a lifting and pulling force. The lifting force will overcome the tension of the springs 112 and raise the frame 22. As the frame 22 rises the slots 80 will slide radially on the pins 58 and the follower 11.0 will be lifted clear of the stops 66. As soon as the operator has raised the follower 110 clear of the stops 66, the lifting force is relaxed into pulling force. Thus the fol1ower110 will engage the upper ends of the apertures 109 and support the frame 22 free and clear of the pins 58. The frame 22 will be free to move forward, and the pulling force will cause the frame 22 to swing to the open position. If the rear stops 66 are inclined'sufiiciently, pulling on the handle 86 will cause the follower to slide on the incline and rise out of the stop 66.. When the follower 110 is in engagement with the arcuate portion 64 of the cam surface 60, the frame 22 will be elevated above its opened or closed position; Thus, the pins 58 will not support the frame 22 but instead the follower 110 which engages the upper end of aperture 109 will carry the frame 22 from one position to the other. Thus, an easily actuated bearing means supports the frame 22 during movement thereof, while a substantially rattle free bearing means supports the frame when in its normal positions. When the frame 22 is fully open and the operator releases the handle 86, the spring 112 will pull the follower 110 down into the stop 68 and lock the ash tray 10 in the open position ready for use.

To close the ash tray 10 when it is in the open position the operator lifts on the handle 86 until the follower 110 is clear of the forward stop 68. As soon as the follower 110 is free of the stops the operator may push on the handle until the ash tray 10 is closed. When the frame 22 reaches the closed positionthe follower 110 will drop into the rear stops 66 and hold the frame22 in the closed position. It should be noted that whenever the ash tray 10 is in the open or closed position, the follower 110 will be seated in one of the stops 66 or 68. The spring 112 will normally urge the frame 22 downwardly until thepins 58 engage the bottom of the slots 80 thus supporting the frame 22. This will not only hold the frame 22 in the desired position but it will reduce or entirely eliminate any tendency to rattle.

If it is desired to remove the ash receptacle 90 to empty it, the ash tray 10 is opened as previously described. The operator will then have access to the receptacle 90. Since the receptacle 90 is only held in place by a friction fit, the operator manually pulls on the snuffer 94. This will cause the receptacle 90 to be lifted free of the aperture 88 through the shelf 70. To replace the receptacle 90 after it is emptied, it is again inserted into the aperture 88 and pressed into place.

To remove the entire frame structure 22 from the housing member 24, the frame 22 is first moved to the open position. The operator then inserts his finger through the notch 107 in the flange 106 on the rear portion of the frame 22 andlifts on the wire follower 110. When the follower 110 has been raised from the seat 108 formed by the rolled edge on the flange 106 at the back of the shelf it is moved forward. As soon as the wire 110 is clear of the seat 108, the frame 22 can easilybe lifted clear of the pins 58 and removed from the chamber 34 formed by the housing member 24. To replace the frame 22,.the slot in the bifurcated legs 74 are placed over the pins 58 and the frame 22 swung inwardly until the flange 106 is adjacent the follower 110. The operator then extends his finger through the notch 107 and moves the wire follower until it is properly seated on the rolled edge 108, thus making the ash tray again ready for use.

While but one embodiment has been shown it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications maybe made without departing from the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the scope of the invention is to be limited only. by the appended claims.

What is claimed. is;

1. An ashtray comprising a support member having an'aperture therethrough, means secured to said support member and forming a chamber opening through said aperture, said means'in cluding a pair of rearwardly projecting vertical panels secured to said member adjacent the horizontally opposite endsof said aperture, each of said panelshaving pivot means and an arcuate cam surface thereon disposed above and substantially concentric with said pivot means, a frame positioned on said pivot means for swinging movement into and out of saidchamher, a cam follower'on said frame projecting over said cam surface for slidably engaging said cam surface and carrying said frame when in such engagement, sets of recessed stops positioned at the opposite ends of said cam surfaces for receiving said follower when said frame is disposed either in or out of said chamber, pivot means on said frame positioned to cooperate with said pivot means on said panels to support said frame when said follower is disposed in one of said sets of stops, and a spring having one end thereof secured to said panel and the other end thereof engaging said follower and acting downwardly thereon for biasing said follower onto said cam surface and said pivot means together. I

2. An ash tray comprising a support member having an aperture therethrough, means secured to said support member and forming a chamber opening through said aperture, said means including a pair of rearwardly pro jecting vertical, panels secured to said member adjacent the horizontally opposite ends of said aperture, each of said panels having pivot means and an arcuate earn surface thereon disposed above and substantially concentric with said pivot means, a frame positioned on said pivot means for swinging movement into and out of said chamher, an ash receiving receptacle releasably secured to said means on said frame adjacent the bottom thereof for cooperating with the pivot means on "said panels and being positioned to support said frame when said follower is disposed in one of said sets of stops, and a spring having one end thereof secured to said panel and the other end thereof engaging said follower and acting downwardly thereon for biasing said follower against said cam surface or into said stops.

3. An ash tray comprising a support member having an aperture therethrough, means secured to said support member and forming a chamber accessible through said aperture, said means including a pair of rearwardly projecting substantially vertical panels secured to said member adjacent the horizontally opposite ends of said aperture, a pin projecting horizontally from each of said rearwardly projecting panels, each of said panels having arcuate cam surfaces thereon disposed above and substantially concentrically of said pins, a frame having slots on the lower end thereof slidably engaging said pins to permit said frame to rotate about said pin and move normal thereto during movement of said frame into and out of said chamber, an ash receiving receptacle releasably secured to said frame by friction means, a cam follower on said frame projecting over and slidably engaging said cam surfaces and carrying said frame when in said engagement, recessed stops positioned at the opposite ends of said cam surfaces, the bottoms of said stops being disposed closer to said pins than said cam surfaces for receiving said follower when said frame is either in or out of said chamber, and spring means having one end thereof secured to said panels and urging said follower downwardly into engagement with said cam surfaces and said stops.

4. An ash tray comprising a support member having an aperture therethrough, means secured to said support member and forming a chamber opening through said aperture, said means including a pair of substantially vertical rearwardly projecting panels secured to said member adjacent the horizontally opposite ends of said aperture, each of said panels having an arcuate cam surface adjacent the tops thereof, a frame positioned for swinging movement into and out of said chamber, a seat extending longitudinally of said frame and being accessible through a normally concealed opening in said frame, an elongated wire cam follower releasably disposed on said seat so as to be accessible through said normally concealed opening for release therefor, the opposite ends of said follower projecting from said frame and over said cam surfaces for sliding engagement with said cam surfaces for carrying said frame when in engagement therewith, recessed stops positioned at each end of said cam surfaces for receiving said follower when said frame is disposed either in or out of said chamber, and a pin positioned on each of said rearwardly projecting panels adjacent the lower ends thereof and disposed substantially axially of said cam surfaces, and slots on said frame slidably engaging said pins to permit said frame to rotate about said pins and to move in a radial direction about said pin, said pins being positioned substantially concentric of said cam surfaces and adapted to support said frame when said follower engages said stops, and a spring having one end thereof secured to said panel and having the other end thereof engaging said follower.

5. An ash tray comprising a support member having an aperture therethrough, a pair of substantially vertical.

panels secured to said support adjacent the horizontally opposite ends of said aperture and projecting rearwardly from said support member, a pin projecting horizontally from each of said panels adjacent the lower edge of said aperture, a cam surface on each of said panels comprising an arcuate portion which is disposed above and substantially concentric with said pin, and dctent notches at each end of said arcuate portion, a frame positioned in said aperture and including slots fitting over said pin to allow swinging movement of said frame through said aperture and sliding movement radially about said pin, an ash receptacle on said frame, an elongated wire follower releasably seated on said frame and extending longitudinally thereof with the opposite ends thereof projecting from the ends of said frame and over said cam surfaces, said ends of said wire follower slidably engaging said cam surfaces and carrying said frame when in engagement with said arcuate portions of said cam surfaces and forming hooks adjacent said panels, said pins being positioned for supporting said frame when said follower is disposed in said notches, and a spring having one end thereof secured to said panel and having the other end thereof secured to said hooks for biasing said follower against said cam surfaces and said frame onto said pins.

6. An ash tray comprising a support member having an aperture therethrough, a pair of substantially vertical rearwardly projecting panels secured to said support adjacent the horizontally opposite ends of said aperture, a pin projecting horizontally from each of said panels adjacent the lower edge of said aperture, a cam surface on each of said panels comprising an arcuate portion which is disposed above and substantially concentric with said pin, notches at each end of said arcuate portion disposed closer to said pins than said arcuate portion to form stops, a frame positioned for swinging movement through said aperture, an ash receptacle releasably secured to said frame by friction means, an elongated wire follower detachably secured to said frame and slidably engaging said cam surface and carrying said frame when in engagement with the arcuate portion of said cam surface, said frame being slotted adjacent its bottom, said frame slots slidably engaging said pins and rotatably supporting said frame when said follower is disposed in said notches, and a spring having one end thereof secured to said panel and the other end thereof secured to said follower, said spring urging said follower downwardly toward said cam surfaces and said notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,447,360 Swan Mar. 6, 1923 1,556,353 Roedding Oct. 6, 1925 2,048,363 Vogel July 21, 1936 2,159,062 Visser May 23, 1939 2,161,770 Visser June 6, 1939 2,162,142 Visser June 13, 1939 2,294,173 Gillisse Aug. 25, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,872 Great Britain 1914 

